THE BRAZILIAN
Today my new student came! I am now the host father of a 44-year-old Brazilian man. A 44-year-old Brazilian man who has a wife and two kids.
He is nice and very low maintenance, which I love.
P.S. The French student is still gone! But I am beginning to believe he is with the other students. If he is, then I am pissed. How was I supposed to know? Talk about disrespectful, irresponsible, and inconsiderate. But mostly inconsiderate.
And they left a sink full of dirty dishes!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
THE MISSING STUDENT, PART II
Please read THE MISSING STUDENT first.
I called 911 this morning. The helpful operator there recommended that I contact the county jail and the hospital. Michel was not at either one of those places, which could be a good thing, but I'm not sure. I sent a message out to Emmanuel, one of the three students camping, but he hasn't responded yet so I can't know if Michel decided to go with them or not.
I will ride my bike up and down State Street now, hoping that blind luck (and answered prayers) will guide me to Michel.
Please read THE MISSING STUDENT first.
I called 911 this morning. The helpful operator there recommended that I contact the county jail and the hospital. Michel was not at either one of those places, which could be a good thing, but I'm not sure. I sent a message out to Emmanuel, one of the three students camping, but he hasn't responded yet so I can't know if Michel decided to go with them or not.
I will ride my bike up and down State Street now, hoping that blind luck (and answered prayers) will guide me to Michel.
THE MISSING STUDENT
It is 1:30 in the morning and my 18-year-old French student is officially lost in Santa Barbara.
Last night when Michel arrived I gave him a key to my house and a map of the city. I circled our house on the map, showed him where the downtown area is, etc. I had to work this morning and Michel was very tired, so I knew I wouldn't see him until five o'clock or so. I wanted him to have the freedom to explore the city on his first day in America.
Well, what a first day in America this must be for him. It's cold outside. The map is still on the table. The Japanese student hasn't seen him.
When I came home from work this afternoon the new student wasn't home. I figured he must still be out, enjoying the good weather. When he didn't come home for dinner I was a little concerned, but not too bothered. My students don't have to be home for dinner. So I went to a friend's house for a while and came home at eleven.
Michel was not home. That was the moment that I knew something was wrong. Because NOBODY stays out until 11:00 without a map, phone, or friends on their first day in a new city. Nobody.
I called the EF emergency number and was simply told to wait until morning. If he is still missing we will take the next course of action (call the police?).
My only possible hope is that at the last minute he joined my three other students on their camping trip.
It is 1:30 in the morning and my 18-year-old French student is officially lost in Santa Barbara.
Last night when Michel arrived I gave him a key to my house and a map of the city. I circled our house on the map, showed him where the downtown area is, etc. I had to work this morning and Michel was very tired, so I knew I wouldn't see him until five o'clock or so. I wanted him to have the freedom to explore the city on his first day in America.
Well, what a first day in America this must be for him. It's cold outside. The map is still on the table. The Japanese student hasn't seen him.
When I came home from work this afternoon the new student wasn't home. I figured he must still be out, enjoying the good weather. When he didn't come home for dinner I was a little concerned, but not too bothered. My students don't have to be home for dinner. So I went to a friend's house for a while and came home at eleven.
Michel was not home. That was the moment that I knew something was wrong. Because NOBODY stays out until 11:00 without a map, phone, or friends on their first day in a new city. Nobody.
I called the EF emergency number and was simply told to wait until morning. If he is still missing we will take the next course of action (call the police?).
My only possible hope is that at the last minute he joined my three other students on their camping trip.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
THE TARDY FRENCH
What is with the French and arriving late?! OK, so maybe it's not all French people. Maybe it's just my students.
My last French student was named Remi, and he was scheduled to fly into Los Angeles at around 5:30pm. It's about 2 hours from LAX to Santa Barbara, so taking into consideration customs and traffic, he was expected to arrive at my house at 9:00pm.
I got a call from Remi at 9:00. Still at LAX. He didn't see the shuttle bus that was supposed to pick him up. I told him I would call EF and find out what's up. I also told him to call me back in 15 minutes. So I called the emergency number for EF, talked with the staff lady who was unlucky enough to have the cell phone that night, and told her what Remi told me. She then tells me that the shuttle bus driver was waiting for three hours right outside of the gate for Remi and didn't see him. So the driver left. Which makes sense; that's about when Remi called me. The big mystery is What the heck was Remi doing from the time the airplane landed on time at 5:30pm until 9:00?? I never got to find out.
The EF emergency phone holder told me to tell Remi to wait right outside and the driver would come around for him again. Too bad Remi didn't have a phone. Just a payphone. He called me back... at 11:00pm! By now I don't know what to say. What was he doing for the past two hours? Why didn't he call me in 15 minutes like he said? He missed the bus, literally. The driver couldn't find him. And for this driver, it has been about five hours of waiting. So, he left. Naturally. In the middle of Remi's phone call we got disconnected. So I was done waiting, too. I had to substitute teach at 8 in the morning the next day! I figured he would find a hotel to stay in overnight and find a way to come to Santa Barbara tomorrow.
At four in the morning I heard loud knocking on my door. I was in some deep sleep and I think the knocking must have gone on for two or three minutes until it broke through my dreams and into my consciousness.
Remi paid a TAXI DRIVER 300 dollars for a fare from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.
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Last night was not as bad. But my new French student, Michel, was supposed to arrive in Los Angeles at around 9pm, which meant he was supposed to arrive at my house at midnight. He came at 1:15am. Given Remi's whole ordeal, I was quite glad to see Michel at one in the morning.
What is with the French and arriving late?! OK, so maybe it's not all French people. Maybe it's just my students.
My last French student was named Remi, and he was scheduled to fly into Los Angeles at around 5:30pm. It's about 2 hours from LAX to Santa Barbara, so taking into consideration customs and traffic, he was expected to arrive at my house at 9:00pm.
I got a call from Remi at 9:00. Still at LAX. He didn't see the shuttle bus that was supposed to pick him up. I told him I would call EF and find out what's up. I also told him to call me back in 15 minutes. So I called the emergency number for EF, talked with the staff lady who was unlucky enough to have the cell phone that night, and told her what Remi told me. She then tells me that the shuttle bus driver was waiting for three hours right outside of the gate for Remi and didn't see him. So the driver left. Which makes sense; that's about when Remi called me. The big mystery is What the heck was Remi doing from the time the airplane landed on time at 5:30pm until 9:00?? I never got to find out.
The EF emergency phone holder told me to tell Remi to wait right outside and the driver would come around for him again. Too bad Remi didn't have a phone. Just a payphone. He called me back... at 11:00pm! By now I don't know what to say. What was he doing for the past two hours? Why didn't he call me in 15 minutes like he said? He missed the bus, literally. The driver couldn't find him. And for this driver, it has been about five hours of waiting. So, he left. Naturally. In the middle of Remi's phone call we got disconnected. So I was done waiting, too. I had to substitute teach at 8 in the morning the next day! I figured he would find a hotel to stay in overnight and find a way to come to Santa Barbara tomorrow.
At four in the morning I heard loud knocking on my door. I was in some deep sleep and I think the knocking must have gone on for two or three minutes until it broke through my dreams and into my consciousness.
Remi paid a TAXI DRIVER 300 dollars for a fare from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.
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Last night was not as bad. But my new French student, Michel, was supposed to arrive in Los Angeles at around 9pm, which meant he was supposed to arrive at my house at midnight. He came at 1:15am. Given Remi's whole ordeal, I was quite glad to see Michel at one in the morning.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
THE DICTIONARY
Today Saiya asked me what the difference was between glimpse and glance. I started to answer him but soon found that this was impossible for me. I know how to use the words correctly and in the appropriate situations, but I simply could not form the right words to explain the difference between the two! It's like trying to define "the" or "of."
These students are learning English and it's hard! I think the worst enemy of the English-learning student is the Preposition. The most common mistake that I hear coming out of my students' mouths is mixing up these short little two and three-letter words. "I ride in the bus on my way at school." Stuff like that.
p.s. Want to know the difference between glimpse and glance?
"The nouns usually combine with different prepositions: I got a glimpse of her. I took a glance at her. The verbs differ in that glimpse is usually transitive, as in She glimpsed the mountain briefly through the clouds (although very rare intransitive uses also occur, as in She glimpsed at the mountain), whereas glance is almost always intransitive, as in He glanced at her as he went by; The stone glanced off the windshield." (from the Columbia Guide to Standard American English, 1993)
I still don't know either!
Today Saiya asked me what the difference was between glimpse and glance. I started to answer him but soon found that this was impossible for me. I know how to use the words correctly and in the appropriate situations, but I simply could not form the right words to explain the difference between the two! It's like trying to define "the" or "of."
These students are learning English and it's hard! I think the worst enemy of the English-learning student is the Preposition. The most common mistake that I hear coming out of my students' mouths is mixing up these short little two and three-letter words. "I ride in the bus on my way at school." Stuff like that.
p.s. Want to know the difference between glimpse and glance?
"The nouns usually combine with different prepositions: I got a glimpse of her. I took a glance at her. The verbs differ in that glimpse is usually transitive, as in She glimpsed the mountain briefly through the clouds (although very rare intransitive uses also occur, as in She glimpsed at the mountain), whereas glance is almost always intransitive, as in He glanced at her as he went by; The stone glanced off the windshield." (from the Columbia Guide to Standard American English, 1993)
I still don't know either!
Monday, June 25, 2007
THE FAREWELL
Tonight I said goodbye to Fayez, the Saudi Arabian. He was with me for just a couple of months, but he felt like a fixture by now. He was very happy to be in my home, and said so often. He is taking a brief vacation in Saudi Arabia with his family, after which he will return to the States to study in Missouri, of all places.
Before he left he gave me a solid hug and a Saudi riyal, one of the currency notes in Saudi Arabia.
Goodbye Fayez! May you have a safe journey home and never forget the good things you've experienced here.
Tonight I said goodbye to Fayez, the Saudi Arabian. He was with me for just a couple of months, but he felt like a fixture by now. He was very happy to be in my home, and said so often. He is taking a brief vacation in Saudi Arabia with his family, after which he will return to the States to study in Missouri, of all places.
Before he left he gave me a solid hug and a Saudi riyal, one of the currency notes in Saudi Arabia.
Goodbye Fayez! May you have a safe journey home and never forget the good things you've experienced here.
THE HOT RUSSIAN
Today I went to a little beach party held by some high schoolers I know from church-related functions. One of my best adult friends' son was there, and I told him I would drop by. Plus, free food!
After an hour I overheard someone say "Don't worry, Janelle [the host] isn't missing, she's just waiting for Mike. He's lost."
Then we talked about how it was impossible to get lost finding Ledbetter Beach. It's the only beach in front of Santa Barbara City College and it's a very long beach. Then someone said to me, "It your Mike, Phil."
My Mike?!
See, I brought Mikhail (the Russian) to Calvary Baptist's youth group last Wednesday, where he met some of the aforementioned high school students. Apparently Janelle invited Mikhail, aka "Mike," to this beach bash when they met last Wednesday.
And apparently she thought he was something of a catch and spoke to her friends about him, because as Mike approached the group, another girl said "That's Mike? Janelle exaggerated."
I didn't know whether to feel happy that someone thought Mikhail was cool and cute, sad that someone else didn't think he was all that attractive, or protective because someone was slightly insulting one of my students.
In the end it didn't matter. The critic changed her tune and within ten minutes was flirting unabashedly with my Mike.
Today I went to a little beach party held by some high schoolers I know from church-related functions. One of my best adult friends' son was there, and I told him I would drop by. Plus, free food!
After an hour I overheard someone say "Don't worry, Janelle [the host] isn't missing, she's just waiting for Mike. He's lost."
Then we talked about how it was impossible to get lost finding Ledbetter Beach. It's the only beach in front of Santa Barbara City College and it's a very long beach. Then someone said to me, "It your Mike, Phil."
My Mike?!
See, I brought Mikhail (the Russian) to Calvary Baptist's youth group last Wednesday, where he met some of the aforementioned high school students. Apparently Janelle invited Mikhail, aka "Mike," to this beach bash when they met last Wednesday.
And apparently she thought he was something of a catch and spoke to her friends about him, because as Mike approached the group, another girl said "That's Mike? Janelle exaggerated."
I didn't know whether to feel happy that someone thought Mikhail was cool and cute, sad that someone else didn't think he was all that attractive, or protective because someone was slightly insulting one of my students.
In the end it didn't matter. The critic changed her tune and within ten minutes was flirting unabashedly with my Mike.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
THE SOLSTICE
Tonight two friends from church came over and brought along their mother's homemade chimichangas. We made Spanish rice, heated up some baked beans from my father's birthday yesterday, made a little salad, and enjoyed some excellent Mexican food. I love when friends come over for dinner! People always hear about my students but not everyone really gets to see them in living color, face-to-face, in their natural environment (my home). It's like going on a safari! Which nationality can you spot next??
Unfortunately, three of the five students ended up eating out, so it was just the Russian, the Japanese, the girls, and I. My, they were good chimichangas, though!
Yesterday was the Solstice parade, and boy was that colorful! Santa Barbara sure knows
how to party fun. I encouraged all of my students to attend and I think most of them were down on State St. amidst the throngs of revelers. This is just a taste of what they got to see:
After the parade the city continued the festivities at Alameda Park. There were funk bands, drum circles, good food, and lots of dancing.
I got sunburned.
Tonight two friends from church came over and brought along their mother's homemade chimichangas. We made Spanish rice, heated up some baked beans from my father's birthday yesterday, made a little salad, and enjoyed some excellent Mexican food. I love when friends come over for dinner! People always hear about my students but not everyone really gets to see them in living color, face-to-face, in their natural environment (my home). It's like going on a safari! Which nationality can you spot next??
Unfortunately, three of the five students ended up eating out, so it was just the Russian, the Japanese, the girls, and I. My, they were good chimichangas, though!
Yesterday was the Solstice parade, and boy was that colorful! Santa Barbara sure knows
how to party fun. I encouraged all of my students to attend and I think most of them were down on State St. amidst the throngs of revelers. This is just a taste of what they got to see:After the parade the city continued the festivities at Alameda Park. There were funk bands, drum circles, good food, and lots of dancing.
I got sunburned.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
THE BROOM
"You will hit me with the broom."
What in the world? I am sitting here in the kitchen, relaxing at the end of a long day. I like to check my emails, Facebook, news, etc, and just unwind in front of the computer. The Swiss-German came in a bit drunk and started teasing the Russian. Daniel teases Mikhail sober, too, mind you. I ignore them and let them have their fun. I begin to hear rumbling sounds coming from various rooms of the house. Something falls in the bathroom. The bunk beds shake in the bedroom.
The Russian is so skinny and he is wearing boxer briefs and a t-shirt. He has daddy-long legs and braces and looks something like a character from a Tim Burton animation. After five minutes of rough-housing I hear Mikhail outside of the bathroom talking to Daniel who is inside the bathroom. Daniel says "I will stop. I am tired."
And Mikhail says in his thick Russian accent, word-for-word:
"You will hit me with the broom."
What kind of circus am I running around here?! Earlier, to pay for laundry, Emmanuel gave me two dollars in pennies and nickels that he had lying around.
"You will hit me with the broom."
What in the world? I am sitting here in the kitchen, relaxing at the end of a long day. I like to check my emails, Facebook, news, etc, and just unwind in front of the computer. The Swiss-German came in a bit drunk and started teasing the Russian. Daniel teases Mikhail sober, too, mind you. I ignore them and let them have their fun. I begin to hear rumbling sounds coming from various rooms of the house. Something falls in the bathroom. The bunk beds shake in the bedroom.
The Russian is so skinny and he is wearing boxer briefs and a t-shirt. He has daddy-long legs and braces and looks something like a character from a Tim Burton animation. After five minutes of rough-housing I hear Mikhail outside of the bathroom talking to Daniel who is inside the bathroom. Daniel says "I will stop. I am tired."
And Mikhail says in his thick Russian accent, word-for-word:
"You will hit me with the broom."
What kind of circus am I running around here?! Earlier, to pay for laundry, Emmanuel gave me two dollars in pennies and nickels that he had lying around.
THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE
Last night, as we dined on chicken quesadillas and "ranch style" beans, Mikhail (the Russian) asked me what sounds animals make in America. Dogs go "bow-wow" as opposed to vow-vow in German. Horses sound the same in Russian and English. When asked about a rooster I said "cock-a-doodle-doo." Daniel and Mikhail laughed loudly at this. Roosters go "ki-kiri-ki" in Russian (and Spanish, too!).
New student: Seiya, from Japan. He's 19 and has been in Santa Barbara for about three weeks already. He is moving to my house from the dorms around the corner. Apparently there is way too much drinking, noise, and "destroying" going on over there. "Destroying?" I asked. Yes, destroying.
Seiya is pretty cool. When I asked him to pronounce his name slowly, he said "Say... Yah!" And pumped his fist in the air with the second syllable! I like him already-- too bad he is only staying in my home for his last 10 days in the States.
Last night, as we dined on chicken quesadillas and "ranch style" beans, Mikhail (the Russian) asked me what sounds animals make in America. Dogs go "bow-wow" as opposed to vow-vow in German. Horses sound the same in Russian and English. When asked about a rooster I said "cock-a-doodle-doo." Daniel and Mikhail laughed loudly at this. Roosters go "ki-kiri-ki" in Russian (and Spanish, too!).
New student: Seiya, from Japan. He's 19 and has been in Santa Barbara for about three weeks already. He is moving to my house from the dorms around the corner. Apparently there is way too much drinking, noise, and "destroying" going on over there. "Destroying?" I asked. Yes, destroying.
Seiya is pretty cool. When I asked him to pronounce his name slowly, he said "Say... Yah!" And pumped his fist in the air with the second syllable! I like him already-- too bad he is only staying in my home for his last 10 days in the States.
Monday, June 18, 2007
THE GOSSIP
I'm back from camping. It was an awesome weekend, thanks for asking! I saw some pretty talented bands and I played some mean games of footbag (hackey sack, for the uninformed).
My students are all more or less back from their adventures this weekend. Although, and this is no surprise, Fayez and Daniel, the two oldest students, are still out. They stay out with friends so late so often that I almost never see them come home at night. It's 1:45 am right now and they are still gone. In town, but not in house, if you know what I mean.
From Emmanuel, referring to his weekend travels: "It was the best trip so far." Emmanuel and Mikhail, the Swiss and the Russian, both said Las Vegas was awesome (even though the most they could do was simply look at the casinos). I guess all the bright lights and sequins touched something inside of them. Pst! Here's a secret, friends: All that glitters is not gold.
And now, the reason you are all here: the gossip. While I was gone this weekend, I received a call from the Housing Department at the language school. They were calling to inform me that the Vietnamese students would be leaving tomorrow, Monday. That's a week earlier than expected!
As soon as I heard that message I immediately understood two things. One thing bitter and one thing sweet. The sweetness is relief! Relief from nagging relatives. Relief from emails and calls and general invasion of my life when I don't want it to be invaded. It is never the host family's duty to field calls for their students; to act as some sort of personal secretary between the parents and child. That would be way above and beyond my responsibilities as stated in our contracts.
Which brings me to my bitter point: I failed to go above and beyond my call of duty. The mother of one of the students must have called the school and asked to have her kid and his companion moved to another home. Isn't that sad?? I've had plenty of students move into my house from other houses, and they've all really enjoyed being here. I offer them lots of freedom, proximity to the school, and decent food.
To have a student leave my house is tantamount to having that special someone break up with me. Inadequacies surface. Doubt and guilt creep in. My ego is hurt. I get defensive.
But to be honest, and this is neither good or bad, just the way things are, I am not a suitable host father for 11 and 12 year-olds. If you were born after 1995, I am not your man. I'm too busy to babysit, too busy to give you three hours of my time every day. Definitely too busy to be talking to parents.
On the other hand, if you happen to be older than 16, you will love my house. You will have five instant friends. You will taste mashed potatoes, pancakes, and chicken quesadillas (not all at the same time). You will meet Americans your own age. You will leave Santa Barbara with a vow in your heart to return again. Soon.
Here's an exciting mystery: Tomorrow, sometime after the Vietnamese students leave, I will be receiving a NEW student! I don't know who, how old, and where from, but I'll let you know when I find out :)
I'm back from camping. It was an awesome weekend, thanks for asking! I saw some pretty talented bands and I played some mean games of footbag (hackey sack, for the uninformed).
My students are all more or less back from their adventures this weekend. Although, and this is no surprise, Fayez and Daniel, the two oldest students, are still out. They stay out with friends so late so often that I almost never see them come home at night. It's 1:45 am right now and they are still gone. In town, but not in house, if you know what I mean.
From Emmanuel, referring to his weekend travels: "It was the best trip so far." Emmanuel and Mikhail, the Swiss and the Russian, both said Las Vegas was awesome (even though the most they could do was simply look at the casinos). I guess all the bright lights and sequins touched something inside of them. Pst! Here's a secret, friends: All that glitters is not gold.
And now, the reason you are all here: the gossip. While I was gone this weekend, I received a call from the Housing Department at the language school. They were calling to inform me that the Vietnamese students would be leaving tomorrow, Monday. That's a week earlier than expected!
As soon as I heard that message I immediately understood two things. One thing bitter and one thing sweet. The sweetness is relief! Relief from nagging relatives. Relief from emails and calls and general invasion of my life when I don't want it to be invaded. It is never the host family's duty to field calls for their students; to act as some sort of personal secretary between the parents and child. That would be way above and beyond my responsibilities as stated in our contracts.
Which brings me to my bitter point: I failed to go above and beyond my call of duty. The mother of one of the students must have called the school and asked to have her kid and his companion moved to another home. Isn't that sad?? I've had plenty of students move into my house from other houses, and they've all really enjoyed being here. I offer them lots of freedom, proximity to the school, and decent food.
To have a student leave my house is tantamount to having that special someone break up with me. Inadequacies surface. Doubt and guilt creep in. My ego is hurt. I get defensive.
But to be honest, and this is neither good or bad, just the way things are, I am not a suitable host father for 11 and 12 year-olds. If you were born after 1995, I am not your man. I'm too busy to babysit, too busy to give you three hours of my time every day. Definitely too busy to be talking to parents.
On the other hand, if you happen to be older than 16, you will love my house. You will have five instant friends. You will taste mashed potatoes, pancakes, and chicken quesadillas (not all at the same time). You will meet Americans your own age. You will leave Santa Barbara with a vow in your heart to return again. Soon.
Here's an exciting mystery: Tomorrow, sometime after the Vietnamese students leave, I will be receiving a NEW student! I don't know who, how old, and where from, but I'll let you know when I find out :)
Friday, June 15, 2007
THE CHECK-IN
Remember to check in LATE Sunday night or anytime on Monday to hear how the students behaved over the weekend. Although I suppose I should say student, since there is apparently only ONE student staying home this weekend. When I checked in with Allie last, it sounded like five of the six students will be gone. The Russian and two Swiss gents are taking an excursion with a tour company to Las Vegas (for 210 dollars, includes travel and hotel). The funny thing about the Las Vegas trip is that all three boys are under 21 years old. That leaves sight seeing and age-appropriate shows. No gambling!
The Vietnamese are visiting their relatives in and around the greater Los Angeles area. Again.
And that leaves Fayez.
Remember, comments are nice :) It's like a conversation!
Remember to check in LATE Sunday night or anytime on Monday to hear how the students behaved over the weekend. Although I suppose I should say student, since there is apparently only ONE student staying home this weekend. When I checked in with Allie last, it sounded like five of the six students will be gone. The Russian and two Swiss gents are taking an excursion with a tour company to Las Vegas (for 210 dollars, includes travel and hotel). The funny thing about the Las Vegas trip is that all three boys are under 21 years old. That leaves sight seeing and age-appropriate shows. No gambling!
The Vietnamese are visiting their relatives in and around the greater Los Angeles area. Again.
And that leaves Fayez.
Remember, comments are nice :) It's like a conversation!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
THE SUBSTITUTE
This weekend I am going out of town. You may have asked yourself at some point while considering all the joys and trials of Hosting Foreign Students, "What if Phil wants to go away for a while?" Sometimes I definitely want to get away. :) Retreating is good, and healthy in my opinion. This weekend, for example, I'll be camping at the Live Oak Music festival with my sister and dad.
If am ever absent for more than two days I need to have someone substitute in for me. In the past it has been my good friend Beau. He's an artist. I have had my mom come and cook a meal for a couple of nights if I will be gone for a short weekend.
The next three days a great girl Allie is going to be taking my place at the homestead. Last night at the dinner table I told the guys (six of them) that a 20 year old girl would be there for the weekend and they all sat up, interests and libidos piqued. The Swiss guy quipped: "Is she nice?" [yes] "I'm not going to Las Vegas now."
I'm always interested in hearing how things went while I was gone. One time a student came home so drunk they thought he had alcohol poisoning, and Emmanuel had to put him in a safe position to pass out without harming himself in his sleep.
Hopefully it won't be that bad, Allie!
This weekend I am going out of town. You may have asked yourself at some point while considering all the joys and trials of Hosting Foreign Students, "What if Phil wants to go away for a while?" Sometimes I definitely want to get away. :) Retreating is good, and healthy in my opinion. This weekend, for example, I'll be camping at the Live Oak Music festival with my sister and dad.
If am ever absent for more than two days I need to have someone substitute in for me. In the past it has been my good friend Beau. He's an artist. I have had my mom come and cook a meal for a couple of nights if I will be gone for a short weekend.
The next three days a great girl Allie is going to be taking my place at the homestead. Last night at the dinner table I told the guys (six of them) that a 20 year old girl would be there for the weekend and they all sat up, interests and libidos piqued. The Swiss guy quipped: "Is she nice?" [yes] "I'm not going to Las Vegas now."
I'm always interested in hearing how things went while I was gone. One time a student came home so drunk they thought he had alcohol poisoning, and Emmanuel had to put him in a safe position to pass out without harming himself in his sleep.
Hopefully it won't be that bad, Allie!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
THE SAUDI
Last night I was talking to Fayez, my Saudi Arabian student. He is my oldest student at 25 years old.
We were talking about his home and city, Riyadh. He wants me to come visit him out there and marry his sister. Tempting, but can anyone say Cultural Differences? He mentioned his 15 siblings and I said, like you just did, "What?!" Then I continued in that vein, "You didn't tell me you had 15 brothers and sisters! I thought you had like three or four." See, I told him one time that I thought most Saudis were rich, and how I heard they all have a Mercedes Benz. Obviously that is not true, but he proceeded to tell me that his car is a Lexus, his brother's car is a Lexus, his other brother's car is a Mercedes, his dad owns a Mercedes, and I think his sister has an Infinity or something like that. I guess I thought he had covered all his siblings.
Apparently not.
Then, get this. Oh man. I never ceased to be amazed. THEN he says "Yeah man. I have 11 siblings from one mother and 5 from my other mother. My father has two wives." His dad has two wives! In one house! An "older wife and a younger one." I was floored. Still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he has 15 brothers and sisters. Then he just drops the mother bomb on me with his father's two wives. I mean, do you know ANYONE who has two spouses?? After discussion I calculated that his father has been making babies for about 30 years now.
Fayez hiding in some roses.
Last night I was talking to Fayez, my Saudi Arabian student. He is my oldest student at 25 years old.
We were talking about his home and city, Riyadh. He wants me to come visit him out there and marry his sister. Tempting, but can anyone say Cultural Differences? He mentioned his 15 siblings and I said, like you just did, "What?!" Then I continued in that vein, "You didn't tell me you had 15 brothers and sisters! I thought you had like three or four." See, I told him one time that I thought most Saudis were rich, and how I heard they all have a Mercedes Benz. Obviously that is not true, but he proceeded to tell me that his car is a Lexus, his brother's car is a Lexus, his other brother's car is a Mercedes, his dad owns a Mercedes, and I think his sister has an Infinity or something like that. I guess I thought he had covered all his siblings.
Apparently not.
Then, get this. Oh man. I never ceased to be amazed. THEN he says "Yeah man. I have 11 siblings from one mother and 5 from my other mother. My father has two wives." His dad has two wives! In one house! An "older wife and a younger one." I was floored. Still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he has 15 brothers and sisters. Then he just drops the mother bomb on me with his father's two wives. I mean, do you know ANYONE who has two spouses?? After discussion I calculated that his father has been making babies for about 30 years now.
Fayez hiding in some roses.Tuesday, June 12, 2007
THE HOT WATER (AND FREEDOM)
In household news, the Vietnamese asked me how to make hot water today. So I put water in a pan and put it on the stove. Then I turned on the fire. :) They asked me how long the water should be heated, and I told them "until it gets hot." They laughed at this. I'm not sure how it works in Vietnam, but I think they are just unsure of how much freedom they have within the household. Case in point: On Sunday one of the Vietnamese came home after spending the weekend with relatives in Los Angeles. Three other students were out and about. The student asked "Where are other students, when they are not with relatives?"
I was surprised at the question! I didn't know how to respond at first. They are outside. They are with friends. They are at the movies, at the coffee shops, at the shopping shops. They are at the beach and in the mountains. On bikes, on surfboards, in cars (rented, of course). "Where are the other students..." as though the only alternative to traveling with family is to stay inside the house! I hope that in the next two weeks they are here, the Vietnamese will recognize the freedom they have and explore a little. For their sake, not mine. I want my students to leave Santa Barbara excited about life!
Then again, they are only 11 and 12 years old.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
THE JAPANESE STUDENTToday I said goodbye to a beloved student of mine, Takeshi (Japan). He has been with me the longest so far: since September 20th! He is of the "old generation," maintaining the memory of classic students like Mario (dated a Costa Rican bikini model while he was here and was voted "Mr. EF" by his classmates and peers), Enthony (the growing Swiss boy who once ate 12 hotdogs in one sitting), Filippo (tasted pancakes for the first time in my house, and was exuberant about everything in Santa Barbara), and Dong Soo (lost over 1000 dollars at the Chumash Casino during his time here). Not too many of my current students know those guys.
Not only is Takeshi old school, but he was a favorite of a lot of my friends. Anyone who had the good fortune to meet him always had great things to say about Takeshi :)
I think what makes Takeshi so special is his gentle spirit. He always seems to care about the people around him, whether he is offering the first plate of food to another person or noticing Katie's haircut when she stops by a month later. He doesn't demand anything. I like that.
We'll miss you Takeshi! Have a great trip home and I'm sure I'll see you again :)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
THE NIGHT HIKE
In order to maintain my status as the "cool young host dad," I make sure I introduce my students to stuff they wouldn't normally experience on their own. Usually that means I invite them to things that I am already doing, like my birthday party last weekend.
Tonight, my 14-year-old Russian student and my two Swiss students joined me on my adventures! The youth group I sometimes spend time with
went to Lizard's Mouth, a rocky hiking/climbing spot in the foothills above Santa Barbara. Jon Bancroft, the youth pastor over at Calvary Baptist Santa Barbara likes to take his group on awesome outdoor adventures: biking, white water rafting, rock climbing, snowboarding, etc. These adventures are great alternatives to what a lot of their peers are experiencing on a Friday night.
We watched the sun setting over the hills, tried some small bouldering challenges, and played Sardines (a game similar to Hide-and-Seek)! It was good fun, and the consensus on the ride back was that "it was great! Totally awesome." Smiles all around!
P.S. Can you guess who is Swiss and who is Russian?
In order to maintain my status as the "cool young host dad," I make sure I introduce my students to stuff they wouldn't normally experience on their own. Usually that means I invite them to things that I am already doing, like my birthday party last weekend.
Tonight, my 14-year-old Russian student and my two Swiss students joined me on my adventures! The youth group I sometimes spend time with
went to Lizard's Mouth, a rocky hiking/climbing spot in the foothills above Santa Barbara. Jon Bancroft, the youth pastor over at Calvary Baptist Santa Barbara likes to take his group on awesome outdoor adventures: biking, white water rafting, rock climbing, snowboarding, etc. These adventures are great alternatives to what a lot of their peers are experiencing on a Friday night.
We watched the sun setting over the hills, tried some small bouldering challenges, and played Sardines (a game similar to Hide-and-Seek)! It was good fun, and the consensus on the ride back was that "it was great! Totally awesome." Smiles all around!P.S. Can you guess who is Swiss and who is Russian?
Thursday, June 07, 2007
THE ALARM CLOCK
Last night one of the Vietnamese students politely asked me if I could wake him at 7:30 this morning because they did not bring an alarm clock. That's not too much of a problem since I have to leave my house at 8:30 to substitute every day this week. And it makes me fondly remember my days in Spain last year when my host father would knock on my door every morning at about 7:30am. BAM BAM! Two loud knocks and that was it.
So this morning I quietly open the door to the room and loudly whisper "Hey! Get up!" I am loudly whispering because there is a third sleeping student in the room, Daniel. He's from Switzerland (the German part). Neither of the Vietnamese move an inch. And the student on the top bunk is sleeping in his clothes! He's still got on his jeans and buttoned-up collared shirt (still tucked-in, I presume). So I come closer and tap the one on the bottom bunk. He seems to be the leader of the two, and I figure I just need to wake up one of them to take care of both. Tapping doesn't work. I shake him. Actually grip his shoulder and shake him. Is he dead? I cannot fathom ever sleeping that hard. He is more motionless than a sleeping rock. After speaking, tapping, shaking, and finally removing the pillow from beneath his head, I give up. I begin to think he must be awake and is simply letting me know silently that he wants to keep on sleeping. Fine.
At 8:10 while I am having breakfast the two are still sleeping. I decided to give it one last effort and I enter the room again. The pillow is still at the kid's feet and he is still in his coma. So I try the top bunk. This student wakes up after a rousing shake on the shoulder and so I go back to the kitchen. I kid you not, about 15 seconds later I hear the most incredible shaking of the bed you could possibly imagine. It was like a magnitude 8 earthquake visited the back-left room of my house. At first I thought the top-bunk student was just climbing down and being really noisy, but then I realized that he was shaking his companion from the depths of unconsciousness for about 5 good long seconds.
Apparently that worked, because 10 minutes later they were out the door into a sun-filled world of English and big cars.
Last night one of the Vietnamese students politely asked me if I could wake him at 7:30 this morning because they did not bring an alarm clock. That's not too much of a problem since I have to leave my house at 8:30 to substitute every day this week. And it makes me fondly remember my days in Spain last year when my host father would knock on my door every morning at about 7:30am. BAM BAM! Two loud knocks and that was it.
So this morning I quietly open the door to the room and loudly whisper "Hey! Get up!" I am loudly whispering because there is a third sleeping student in the room, Daniel. He's from Switzerland (the German part). Neither of the Vietnamese move an inch. And the student on the top bunk is sleeping in his clothes! He's still got on his jeans and buttoned-up collared shirt (still tucked-in, I presume). So I come closer and tap the one on the bottom bunk. He seems to be the leader of the two, and I figure I just need to wake up one of them to take care of both. Tapping doesn't work. I shake him. Actually grip his shoulder and shake him. Is he dead? I cannot fathom ever sleeping that hard. He is more motionless than a sleeping rock. After speaking, tapping, shaking, and finally removing the pillow from beneath his head, I give up. I begin to think he must be awake and is simply letting me know silently that he wants to keep on sleeping. Fine.
At 8:10 while I am having breakfast the two are still sleeping. I decided to give it one last effort and I enter the room again. The pillow is still at the kid's feet and he is still in his coma. So I try the top bunk. This student wakes up after a rousing shake on the shoulder and so I go back to the kitchen. I kid you not, about 15 seconds later I hear the most incredible shaking of the bed you could possibly imagine. It was like a magnitude 8 earthquake visited the back-left room of my house. At first I thought the top-bunk student was just climbing down and being really noisy, but then I realized that he was shaking his companion from the depths of unconsciousness for about 5 good long seconds.
Apparently that worked, because 10 minutes later they were out the door into a sun-filled world of English and big cars.
THE PARENTS
At the rate this is going, I will receive about 80 phone calls from the parents (and Uncles!) of the Vietnamese students throughout the 27 days they are staying with me. For some reason, I just don't want to talk to them. I got a call from Vietnam tonight at about 10pm. How did I know it was from Vietnam? Country code +84
I think the reason I don't want to talk to the relatives is because What am going to say to them?! It makes me tired just thinking about assuaging the restless hearts of mothers abroad. The conversation will most likely sound like this:
CVM (Concerned Vietnamese Mother): Umm, hello, Mr. Phil?
THD (Tired Host Daddy): Yes, this is Phil.
CVM: Hello, I am _____ , Vinh Anh's mother.
THD: Hi. How are you?
CVM: I am well, thank you. I hope my son is behaving himself for you! He is very young, and he has never been to America before.
THD: Oh, he is very nice. He is quiet, but very nice. I have no problems with him.
CVM: We want him to call us. He has not called his father yet. He has not sent email.
..... And so on.
I know, I know. The best solution is probably taking just one phone call like this and making the parents happy. But I am a stubborn mule.
At the rate this is going, I will receive about 80 phone calls from the parents (and Uncles!) of the Vietnamese students throughout the 27 days they are staying with me. For some reason, I just don't want to talk to them. I got a call from Vietnam tonight at about 10pm. How did I know it was from Vietnam? Country code +84
I think the reason I don't want to talk to the relatives is because What am going to say to them?! It makes me tired just thinking about assuaging the restless hearts of mothers abroad. The conversation will most likely sound like this:
CVM (Concerned Vietnamese Mother): Umm, hello, Mr. Phil?
THD (Tired Host Daddy): Yes, this is Phil.
CVM: Hello, I am _____ , Vinh Anh's mother.
THD: Hi. How are you?
CVM: I am well, thank you. I hope my son is behaving himself for you! He is very young, and he has never been to America before.
THD: Oh, he is very nice. He is quiet, but very nice. I have no problems with him.
CVM: We want him to call us. He has not called his father yet. He has not sent email.
..... And so on.
I know, I know. The best solution is probably taking just one phone call like this and making the parents happy. But I am a stubborn mule.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
THE VIETNAMESE
Tonight the Vietnamese boys came. Two of them. 11 and 12 years old! Is that not too young to be visiting another continent?? They smell like mothballs, which I did not expect at all.
Upon arriving they viewed the house and promptly hid away in their room with the door shut. New students always make me a bit nervous. I never know what they are thinking, or if they even understand me. I say "Dinner is always served at 6:00. Please tell me if you will not eat dinner at home. Ok?" And then I think, "should I have used the word served?" Asians always seem to nod or say yes even when they don't understand. ALWAYS ask twice.
Last thing: The young ones tend to have anxious parents. So far I have received 5 phone calls from the Vietnamese kids' parents. 3 of which were today....
Tonight the Vietnamese boys came. Two of them. 11 and 12 years old! Is that not too young to be visiting another continent?? They smell like mothballs, which I did not expect at all.
Upon arriving they viewed the house and promptly hid away in their room with the door shut. New students always make me a bit nervous. I never know what they are thinking, or if they even understand me. I say "Dinner is always served at 6:00. Please tell me if you will not eat dinner at home. Ok?" And then I think, "should I have used the word served?" Asians always seem to nod or say yes even when they don't understand. ALWAYS ask twice.
Last thing: The young ones tend to have anxious parents. So far I have received 5 phone calls from the Vietnamese kids' parents. 3 of which were today....
THE BACKSTORY
Well, here we go!
I have almost been hosting students for a full year. Here's a little timeline:
[June/July 2006] Worked with EF International Language Schools. My job was to find host families for the school, who had overbooked about 300 Chinese students. They were promised nice American families to live with, so EF showered Santa Barbara County with flyers and advertisements to find potential families.
[July 2006] I was asked to be an RA (a Resident Advisor) for a house close to downtown Santa Barbara. I said yes. I moved in within three days to a 2 bed, 1 bath house. I got paid 500 dollars a month, had free rent/utilities, free cable (the extended plan!), and free food. In fact, each week I would call an older lady and tell her what I needed for the week, and she would hand deliver my groceries. My responsibilities were to prepare meals each night and keep the house nice.
My first six students were all Chinese. Obviously :)
[April 2007] EF headquarters came through Santa Barbara and financially assessed the school here. One of the changes they made was to scrap all contracts the school had with families in the area. No more special favors for loyal families. Sometimes the school would pay a family X dollars per month, whether they had five students in the home or just one. Guess what? No more 500 dollars a month! :( But I can't complain about the free rent and food. :)
[June 2007] Present day! We are about 20 students later. One more room has been added to the house (for myself, so I could stop sleeping on the mattress in the living room). I am a better cook. There are plants and flowers blooming outside!
Well, here we go!
I have almost been hosting students for a full year. Here's a little timeline:
[June/July 2006] Worked with EF International Language Schools. My job was to find host families for the school, who had overbooked about 300 Chinese students. They were promised nice American families to live with, so EF showered Santa Barbara County with flyers and advertisements to find potential families.
[July 2006] I was asked to be an RA (a Resident Advisor) for a house close to downtown Santa Barbara. I said yes. I moved in within three days to a 2 bed, 1 bath house. I got paid 500 dollars a month, had free rent/utilities, free cable (the extended plan!), and free food. In fact, each week I would call an older lady and tell her what I needed for the week, and she would hand deliver my groceries. My responsibilities were to prepare meals each night and keep the house nice.
My first six students were all Chinese. Obviously :)
[April 2007] EF headquarters came through Santa Barbara and financially assessed the school here. One of the changes they made was to scrap all contracts the school had with families in the area. No more special favors for loyal families. Sometimes the school would pay a family X dollars per month, whether they had five students in the home or just one. Guess what? No more 500 dollars a month! :( But I can't complain about the free rent and food. :)
[June 2007] Present day! We are about 20 students later. One more room has been added to the house (for myself, so I could stop sleeping on the mattress in the living room). I am a better cook. There are plants and flowers blooming outside!
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